Reading Help The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-VI
`
` He nodded rather gloomily. `
` `
` "Yes, it's a fine property. It'll be mine some day--should be `
` mine now by rights, if my father had only made a decent will. `
` And then I shouldn't be so damned hard up as I am now." `
` `
` "Hard up, are you?" `
` `
` "My dear Hastings, I don't mind telling you that I'm at my wit's `
` end for money." `
` `
` "Couldn't your brother help you?" `
` `
` "Lawrence? He's gone through every penny he ever had, publishing `
` rotten verses in fancy bindings. No, we're an impecunious lot. `
` My mother's always been awfully good to us, I must say. That is, `
` up to now. Since her marriage, of course----" he broke off, `
` frowning. `
` `
` For the first time I felt that, with Evelyn Howard, something `
` indefinable had gone from the atmosphere. Her presence had spelt `
` security. Now that security was removed--and the air seemed rife `
` with suspicion. The sinister face of Dr. Bauerstein recurred to `
` me unpleasantly. A vague suspicion of every one and everything `
` filled my mind. Just for a moment I had a premonition of `
` approaching evil. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER II. `
` `
` THE 16TH AND 17TH OF JULY `
` `
` `
` I had arrived at Styles on the 5th of July. I come now to the `
` events of the 16th and 17th of that month. For the convenience `
` of the reader I will recapitulate the incidents of those days in `
` as exact a manner as possible. They were elicited subsequently `
` at the trial by a process of long and tedious cross-examinations. `
` `
` I received a letter from Evelyn Howard a couple of days after her `
` departure, telling me she was working as a nurse at the big `
` hospital in Middlingham, a manufacturing town some fifteen miles `
` away, and begging me to let her know if Mrs. Inglethorp should `
` show any wish to be reconciled. `
` `
` The only fly in the ointment of my peaceful days was Mrs. `
` Cavendish's extraordinary, and, for my part, unaccountable `
` preference for the society of Dr. Bauerstein. What she saw in `
` the man I cannot imagine, but she was always asking him up to the `
` house, and often went off for long expeditions with him. I must `
` confess that I was quite unable to see his attraction. `
` `
` The 16th of July fell on a Monday. It was a day of turmoil. The `
` famous bazaar had taken place on Saturday, and an entertainment, `
` in connection with the same charity, at which Mrs. Inglethorp was `
` to recite a War poem, was to be held that night. We were all `
` busy during the morning arranging and decorating the Hall in the `
` village where it was to take place. We had a late luncheon and `
` spent the afternoon resting in the garden. I noticed that John's `
` manner was somewhat unusual. He seemed very excited and `
` restless. `
` `
` After tea, Mrs. Inglethorp went to lie down to rest before her `
` efforts in the evening and I challenged Mary Cavendish to a `
` single at tennis. `
` `
` About a quarter to seven, Mrs. Inglethorp called us that we `
` should be late as supper was early that night. We had rather a `
` scramble to get ready in time; and before the meal was over the `
` motor was waiting at the door. `
` `
` The entertainment was a great success, Mrs. Inglethorp's `
` recitation receiving tremendous applause. There were also some `
` tableaux in which Cynthia took part. She did not return with us, `
` having been asked to a supper party, and to remain the night with `
` some friends who had been acting with her in the tableaux. `
` `
` The following morning, Mrs. Inglethorp stayed in bed to `
` breakfast, as she was rather overtired; but she appeared in her `
` briskest mood about 12.30, and swept Lawrence and myself off to a `
` luncheon party. `
` `
` "Such a charming invitation from Mrs. Rolleston. Lady `
` Tadminster's sister, you know. The Rollestons came over with the `
` Conqueror--one of our oldest families." `
` `
` Mary had excused herself on the plea of an engagement with Dr. `
` Bauerstein. `
` `
` We had a pleasant luncheon, and as we drove away Lawrence `
` suggested that we should return by Tadminster, which was barely a `
` mile out of our way, and pay a visit to Cynthia in her `
` dispensary. Mrs. Inglethorp replied that this was an excellent `
` idea, but as she had several letters to write she would drop us `
` there, and we could come back with Cynthia in the pony-trap. `
` `
` We were detained under suspicion by the hospital porter, until `
` Cynthia appeared to vouch for us, looking very cool and sweet in `
` her long white overall. She took us up to her sanctum, and `
` introduced us to her fellow dispenser, a rather awe-inspiring `
` individual, whom Cynthia cheerily addressed as "Nibs." `
` `
` "What a lot of bottles!" I exclaimed, as my eye travelled round `
` the small room. "Do you really know what's in them all?" `
` `
` "Say something original," groaned Cynthia. "Every single person `
` who comes up here says that. We are really thinking of bestowing `
` a prize on the first individual who does _not_ say: 'What a lot of `
` bottles!' And I know the next thing you're going to say is: 'How `
` many people have you poisoned?' " `
` `
` I pleaded guilty with a laugh. `
` `
` "If you people only knew how fatally easy it is to poison some `
` one by mistake, you wouldn't joke about it. Come on, let's have `
` tea. We've got all sorts of secret stories in that cupboard. `
` No, Lawrence--that's the poison cupboard. The big `
` cupboard--that's right." `
` `
` We had a very cheery tea, and assisted Cynthia to wash up `
` afterwards. We had just put away the last tea-spoon when a knock `
` came at the door. The countenances of Cynthia and Nibs were `
` suddenly petrified into a stern and forbidding expression. `
` `
` "Come in," said Cynthia, in a sharp professional tone. `
` `
` A young and rather scared looking nurse appeared with a bottle `
` which she proffered to Nibs, who waved her towards Cynthia with `
` the somewhat enigmatical remark: `
` `
` "_I_'m not really here to-day." `
` `
` Cynthia took the bottle and examined it with the severity of a `
` judge. `
` `
` "This should have been sent up this morning." `
` `
` "Sister is very sorry. She forgot." `
` `
` "Sister should read the rules outside the door." `
` `
` I gathered from the little nurse's expression that there was not `
` the least likelihood of her having the hardihood to retail this `
` message to the dreaded "Sister". `
` `
` "So now it can't be done until to-morrow," finished Cynthia. `
` `
` "Don't you think you could possibly let us have it to-night?" `
` `
` "Well," said Cynthia graciously, "we are very busy, but if we `
` have time it shall be done." `
` `
` The little nurse withdrew, and Cynthia promptly took a jar from `
` the shelf, refilled the bottle, and placed it on the table `
` outside the door. `
` `
` I laughed. `
` `
` "Discipline must be maintained?" `
` `
` "Exactly. Come out on our little balcony. You can see all the `
` outside wards there." `
` `
` I followed Cynthia and her friend and they pointed out the `
` different wards to me. Lawrence remained behind, but after a few `
` moments Cynthia called to him over her shoulder to come and join `
` us. Then she looked at her watch. `
` `
` "Nothing more to do, Nibs?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "All right. Then we can lock up and go." `
` `
` I had seen Lawrence in quite a different light that afternoon. `
` Compared to John, he was an astoundingly difficult person to get `
` to know. He was the opposite of his brother in almost every `
` respect, being unusually shy and reserved. Yet he had a certain `
` charm of manner, and I fancied that, if one really knew him well, `
` one could have a deep affection for him. I had always fancied `
` that his manner to Cynthia was rather constrained, and that she `
` on her side was inclined to be shy of him. But they were both `
` gay enough this afternoon, and chatted together like a couple of `
` children. `
` `
` As we drove through the village, I remembered that I wanted some `
` stamps, so accordingly we pulled up at the post office. `
` `
` As I came out again, I cannoned into a little man who was just `
` entering. I drew aside and apologised, when suddenly, with a `
` loud exclamation, he clasped me in his arms and kissed me warmly. `
` `
` "Mon ami Hastings!" he cried. "It is indeed mon ami Hastings!" `
` `
` "Poirot!" I exclaimed. `
` `
` I turned to the pony-trap. `
` `
` "This is a very pleasant meeting for me, Miss Cynthia. This is `
`
` He nodded rather gloomily. `
` `
` "Yes, it's a fine property. It'll be mine some day--should be `
` mine now by rights, if my father had only made a decent will. `
` And then I shouldn't be so damned hard up as I am now." `
` `
` "Hard up, are you?" `
` `
` "My dear Hastings, I don't mind telling you that I'm at my wit's `
` end for money." `
` `
` "Couldn't your brother help you?" `
` `
` "Lawrence? He's gone through every penny he ever had, publishing `
` rotten verses in fancy bindings. No, we're an impecunious lot. `
` My mother's always been awfully good to us, I must say. That is, `
` up to now. Since her marriage, of course----" he broke off, `
` frowning. `
` `
` For the first time I felt that, with Evelyn Howard, something `
` indefinable had gone from the atmosphere. Her presence had spelt `
` security. Now that security was removed--and the air seemed rife `
` with suspicion. The sinister face of Dr. Bauerstein recurred to `
` me unpleasantly. A vague suspicion of every one and everything `
` filled my mind. Just for a moment I had a premonition of `
` approaching evil. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER II. `
` `
` THE 16TH AND 17TH OF JULY `
` `
` `
` I had arrived at Styles on the 5th of July. I come now to the `
` events of the 16th and 17th of that month. For the convenience `
` of the reader I will recapitulate the incidents of those days in `
` as exact a manner as possible. They were elicited subsequently `
` at the trial by a process of long and tedious cross-examinations. `
` `
` I received a letter from Evelyn Howard a couple of days after her `
` departure, telling me she was working as a nurse at the big `
` hospital in Middlingham, a manufacturing town some fifteen miles `
` away, and begging me to let her know if Mrs. Inglethorp should `
` show any wish to be reconciled. `
` `
` The only fly in the ointment of my peaceful days was Mrs. `
` Cavendish's extraordinary, and, for my part, unaccountable `
` preference for the society of Dr. Bauerstein. What she saw in `
` the man I cannot imagine, but she was always asking him up to the `
` house, and often went off for long expeditions with him. I must `
` confess that I was quite unable to see his attraction. `
` `
` The 16th of July fell on a Monday. It was a day of turmoil. The `
` famous bazaar had taken place on Saturday, and an entertainment, `
` in connection with the same charity, at which Mrs. Inglethorp was `
` to recite a War poem, was to be held that night. We were all `
` busy during the morning arranging and decorating the Hall in the `
` village where it was to take place. We had a late luncheon and `
` spent the afternoon resting in the garden. I noticed that John's `
` manner was somewhat unusual. He seemed very excited and `
` restless. `
` `
` After tea, Mrs. Inglethorp went to lie down to rest before her `
` efforts in the evening and I challenged Mary Cavendish to a `
` single at tennis. `
` `
` About a quarter to seven, Mrs. Inglethorp called us that we `
` should be late as supper was early that night. We had rather a `
` scramble to get ready in time; and before the meal was over the `
` motor was waiting at the door. `
` `
` The entertainment was a great success, Mrs. Inglethorp's `
` recitation receiving tremendous applause. There were also some `
` tableaux in which Cynthia took part. She did not return with us, `
` having been asked to a supper party, and to remain the night with `
` some friends who had been acting with her in the tableaux. `
` `
` The following morning, Mrs. Inglethorp stayed in bed to `
` breakfast, as she was rather overtired; but she appeared in her `
` briskest mood about 12.30, and swept Lawrence and myself off to a `
` luncheon party. `
` `
` "Such a charming invitation from Mrs. Rolleston. Lady `
` Tadminster's sister, you know. The Rollestons came over with the `
` Conqueror--one of our oldest families." `
` `
` Mary had excused herself on the plea of an engagement with Dr. `
` Bauerstein. `
` `
` We had a pleasant luncheon, and as we drove away Lawrence `
` suggested that we should return by Tadminster, which was barely a `
` mile out of our way, and pay a visit to Cynthia in her `
` dispensary. Mrs. Inglethorp replied that this was an excellent `
` idea, but as she had several letters to write she would drop us `
` there, and we could come back with Cynthia in the pony-trap. `
` `
` We were detained under suspicion by the hospital porter, until `
` Cynthia appeared to vouch for us, looking very cool and sweet in `
` her long white overall. She took us up to her sanctum, and `
` introduced us to her fellow dispenser, a rather awe-inspiring `
` individual, whom Cynthia cheerily addressed as "Nibs." `
` `
` "What a lot of bottles!" I exclaimed, as my eye travelled round `
` the small room. "Do you really know what's in them all?" `
` `
` "Say something original," groaned Cynthia. "Every single person `
` who comes up here says that. We are really thinking of bestowing `
` a prize on the first individual who does _not_ say: 'What a lot of `
` bottles!' And I know the next thing you're going to say is: 'How `
` many people have you poisoned?' " `
` `
` I pleaded guilty with a laugh. `
` `
` "If you people only knew how fatally easy it is to poison some `
` one by mistake, you wouldn't joke about it. Come on, let's have `
` tea. We've got all sorts of secret stories in that cupboard. `
` No, Lawrence--that's the poison cupboard. The big `
` cupboard--that's right." `
` `
` We had a very cheery tea, and assisted Cynthia to wash up `
` afterwards. We had just put away the last tea-spoon when a knock `
` came at the door. The countenances of Cynthia and Nibs were `
` suddenly petrified into a stern and forbidding expression. `
` `
` "Come in," said Cynthia, in a sharp professional tone. `
` `
` A young and rather scared looking nurse appeared with a bottle `
` which she proffered to Nibs, who waved her towards Cynthia with `
` the somewhat enigmatical remark: `
` `
` "_I_'m not really here to-day." `
` `
` Cynthia took the bottle and examined it with the severity of a `
` judge. `
` `
` "This should have been sent up this morning." `
` `
` "Sister is very sorry. She forgot." `
` `
` "Sister should read the rules outside the door." `
` `
` I gathered from the little nurse's expression that there was not `
` the least likelihood of her having the hardihood to retail this `
` message to the dreaded "Sister". `
` `
` "So now it can't be done until to-morrow," finished Cynthia. `
` `
` "Don't you think you could possibly let us have it to-night?" `
` `
` "Well," said Cynthia graciously, "we are very busy, but if we `
` have time it shall be done." `
` `
` The little nurse withdrew, and Cynthia promptly took a jar from `
` the shelf, refilled the bottle, and placed it on the table `
` outside the door. `
` `
` I laughed. `
` `
` "Discipline must be maintained?" `
` `
` "Exactly. Come out on our little balcony. You can see all the `
` outside wards there." `
` `
` I followed Cynthia and her friend and they pointed out the `
` different wards to me. Lawrence remained behind, but after a few `
` moments Cynthia called to him over her shoulder to come and join `
` us. Then she looked at her watch. `
` `
` "Nothing more to do, Nibs?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "All right. Then we can lock up and go." `
` `
` I had seen Lawrence in quite a different light that afternoon. `
` Compared to John, he was an astoundingly difficult person to get `
` to know. He was the opposite of his brother in almost every `
` respect, being unusually shy and reserved. Yet he had a certain `
` charm of manner, and I fancied that, if one really knew him well, `
` one could have a deep affection for him. I had always fancied `
` that his manner to Cynthia was rather constrained, and that she `
` on her side was inclined to be shy of him. But they were both `
` gay enough this afternoon, and chatted together like a couple of `
` children. `
` `
` As we drove through the village, I remembered that I wanted some `
` stamps, so accordingly we pulled up at the post office. `
` `
` As I came out again, I cannoned into a little man who was just `
` entering. I drew aside and apologised, when suddenly, with a `
` loud exclamation, he clasped me in his arms and kissed me warmly. `
` `
` "Mon ami Hastings!" he cried. "It is indeed mon ami Hastings!" `
` `
` "Poirot!" I exclaimed. `
` `
` I turned to the pony-trap. `
` `
` "This is a very pleasant meeting for me, Miss Cynthia. This is `
`